BUFFALO, NY—A one-yard plunge by Steve Davis and a 43-yard interception return by Dave D‘Aurelio for touchdowns in a 32-second span in the games closing minutes catapulted Cortland (2-2) a 28-14 victory over Buffalo State (0-4) today at Coyer Field.

Cortland opened the scoring on its second possession of the game, as it marched 46 yards on six plays, capped by a 33-yard scoring pass from Alex Smith to Tony Romano. Buffalo State responded with a lengthy drive of its own late in the second quarter, moving 66 yards on 12 plays, culminated by a nine-yard touchdown strike from Mike Mikolaichik to Jonathan Allen, tying the score at 7-7.

Cortland quickly broke the tie to start the second half after a 39-yard kick return by Mark Bly and a five-play, 48-yard scoring drive. Smith connected with Matt Rickert for a 34-yard catch and run to put the Red Dragons ahead 14-7. Buffalo State pulled even again, at 14-14, with 12:29 to play with a 10-yard pass from Mikolaichik to Allen to cap a 62-yard drive.

Cortland regained the lead for good with 3:55 to play on a one-yard run from Davis, and D‘Aurelio put the game out of reach with an interception return for a score just four plays later with 3:23 remaining.

The Red Dragons were led by Davis‘ 109 yards on 31 carries. Smith finished the game 16-of-22 with 215 yard and two touchdown passes. Romano was the leading receiver with five catches for 97 yards and the score. Matt Montpetit anchored the defense with 12 tackles including a sack and two stops for losses, and Josh Jablonski also had a sack and 10 total tackles.

For Buffalo State, freshman James Perkins registered a career-high 121 yards on 29 carries. Allen also posted career bests with nine catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns. Mikolaichik finished 15-of-40 for 151 with two touchdown passes and two interceptions. Perry Taglienti and Nick Warren each made nine tackles.